Posts Tagged ‘travel’

My principle in practical photography is rather simple. That is ,”one should put more attention to the scene rather then the techniques.” Hence for this particular reasons, I found that finding the right equipment is very critical, so as you can rely on the piece at any given time, without care so much about the limitation that may bound your imagination.



A homeless man feed the birds at the King George Square, Brisbane (from personal archive)

The Camera

Regardless of the brand, there is a very simple rule that you need to follow, when buying a camera:

1. It should be small enough, that you don’t need separate bag to carry it along the day
2. It should incorporate reasonable range of zoon so as flexible to accommodate your photography style
3. It should allow manual control to the extent of you normal usage, so as to allow you exercise your technique when special condition arisen
4. I would prefer camera that have a shooting window, because I don’t like to rely on live window
5. A macro is essential, even more than tele
6. Would be very nice to be able to use normal batteries (AA) so that I don’t rely on charger or special batteries that cant be or too expensive to replace

For you who ever heard about LOMO photography might hear the sound principle behind it, which is don’t think just shoot (or somewhere along that line). Now, after years of hobby in photography, I found that such philosophy are the underline of good picture.

Have you ever find yourself loosing many of the scenes because you are too afraid to take chance and take a picture anytime, even if its bad one ? Well don’t. Sure there are some Leica masters who only take a picture when they are sure, and hold tight the principle of 1 shoot 1 pic. But this is digital era, mistakes are made to be fix, and everyone need to remember that good picture does not lie son the technique alone, but on the subject, that is the story behind every take.

The Guide

7. Focus on people and place
8. Just simply point and shoot
9. Make sure that it focused on the subject you intended and make sure its not shaking
10. Remember that everything in BW looks beautiful
11. Remember that all pictures tells story if you intended them too
12. Remember that 88% of your shoot is worthless, hence take as many picture as possible.

What’s your take on this ?

At my age, I sincerely hoped that most men have come into their senses when it comes to a dressing style. And more importantly start taking care his wardrobe, and stop asking his wife, girl friend, mom or maid to pack for him.

There are of course, some loose souls that needs to be enlightened, and therefore I have ceased to surprise to hear questions, demanding to find out on what clothes to bring when it comes to travelling. My answer to this enquiry is ruthlessly simple, that is I will asked back, “what is the purpose of your trip ?” The common answer, provided that you are normal being, with normal needs are either for business, or pleasure. The second most important questions hence will be, “how long are you going to travel ?” These are the questions that were asked many times, and here are my answer.

The Business Side

The business travel equipments requires more standard of style and pedigree that should be uphold in discipline and precarious manner at all times. And its started with the luggage. The luggage in question, should be enough to store at least a week of clothing. Additionally there is also a question of practicality and performance. Hence for this questions my preference is a cabin size luggage, hard cased, locked, and comes with trolley. As such that this luggage should be store all my clothing and travelling necessities, and in doing so gives me an option on whether I want to check the luggage in, or keep it on my side, in case I store something valuable that I’m keen to keep it by my side. Equally, this luggage will not burden my shoulders or broke my back while I’m walking around the airports strolling from shop to shop or just scrambling directly to the gate. You know these days, big airports have gates that is miles away from the entrance, that shuttle bus, or subway is sometimes provided.

As for the clothing, it will naturally adjusted to your daily necessities. For shirts and trouser, it will depends on how many days I would travel. Now, if the for the sake of discussion, I have two weeks or more worth of travel, I will simply bring a week of supply, while for less than week, I will bring just as many. A week of supply of shirts, will be one business shirts for each day, all in conservative striped pattern (some can be plain if you wish, good for a matching with suit), in addition of two casual shirts (you can bring extra business shirts for you casual shirts, since you can always rolled up the sleeve anyway.

On my count, the number of trouser will generally halved the number of shirts, so that I can wear it alternately. Most importantly the trousers should be wearable in combination of any of your shirts. Which means, I will avoided striped patterned trousers, and sticks with business conservative color, such dark or mid grey, and navy. However if you required to wear suit everyday, you can ignore my rules about trousers above, and go straight to my rules about suits.

Bring two, which can be in any of these combinations: – Dark Grey – Light grey – Navy – Black (only if you certain that there will be occasion where dinner jacket is expected) One of which could be pin striped. Additionally, bring an odd jacket, in either linen, cotton or wool (as long as not worsted), in any conservative color of your choice.

As for the shoes, bring two a black oxford and a brown bluchers, the latter can be substituted with brown loafers, depends on your preference. The black oxford is formidable for many occasions, and for additional flexibility I opted for a cap toe in black calf. The bluchers, can provide a less formal appearance to your dress, which is useful for night strolling, or summer background. The recommended third pair can either be snickers (for sporting occasions) or brown monk straps.

For matching the socks use 2:1 comparisons, that s 2 days, 1 socks. Remember, that the socks is preferably matched your trousers.

Other necessities to bring – A couple of tee and polo shirts – Khaki shorts – Shaver (I prefer battery powered electric shaver) – Small towel – Perfume ( 10ml travel package is now widely available in your nearest perfumery) – Charger or your mobile – Swimsuit – Shampoo and liquid soap in small packs (personally, I always opted to buy at the destination, since I don’t have special requirements) .

The Casual

If anything differentiate the list for casual as with the formal, it’s the suit and trousers. Casual occasion does not demand suit, but odd jacket is always appreciated. The same rules on the number of upper wear is still applies as with the business rule, but you can alternate dress shirts, with short sleeves and polo.

Depending on your preference, you may still need a pair of trousers, but I prefer jeans, one in dark blue, another in black, which should be suitable for night time. Now by this point, you will realize that everything I write in here, are just common sense that so far has served with me well, which bring to my next point about travelling, to be completely honest, it doesn’t matter with what clothes that you bring, as long as you feel it is adequately serves you, and leave you from worries of possible “wrong costume” situation especially in business events.

That highlight a bottom character of a holiday, that he should be able to left his trivia and worries back in his duffel, so that he is able to focused on the scene, attraction and people around. Admittedly not an easy thing to do. But that was one of the joy of a true holiday, focusing on your happiness and only your happiness. Whats your take on this ? Share your opinions in the comments area.